Exam delayed for South Lyon man in bat attack; 2nd man charged

The preliminary examination for a South Lyon man charged with attacking another man with a baseball bat has been delayed as a second man has been charged in the incident.

Tristan Tait Perry, 19, of South Lyon was arraigned Friday in 52nd-1 District Court Friday on a charge of assault with intent to commit murder. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf and he was remanded to the Oakland County Jail after bond was denied.

Malachi Jordan Collins, 18, appeared in 52nd-1 District Court in Novi on Wednesday and waived his right to preliminary examination within 21 days. Judge David Law rescheduled the hearing until Sept. 20, a date agreed upon by the prosecution and defense.

Collins(Photo11: file photo)

"We have a second defendant added and would ask for an adjournment. Our intent is to have the co-defendant arrested in a timely fashion," Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Kelly Collins said. "We will set a new probable cause hearing and a preliminary examination so we can hold it jointly (for both defendants)."

Additionally, Collins's defense attorney was in the middle of a trial at another court and had agreed with the adjournment so that he could handle the rescheduled preliminary examination, Kelly Collins said.

Jailed without bond since his arraignment on Aug. 8, Collins is charged with assault with intent to murder the victim, a South Lyon man, 26, who was severely beaten in an attack at the South Lyon Woods Mobile Home Park. Collins entered a not-guilty plea at his arraignment. Kelly Collins said the same charge has been brought against a second man in connection with the July 30 incident.

According to police, the dispute was over $7 and some clothing. The victim was found laying along the street, described by police as having been severely beaten with a blunt object.

Police said the victim was in a medically induced coma the day after the attack and would need to return for reconstructive surgery at a later date.

Police interviewed numerous people involved in the dispute or who witnessed it. Officers reported the accounts varied and several were described as vague.

At least two witnesses, not directly involved in the incident, told police the victim pounded on the door of a mobile home, then a man came outside, armed with a bat. Those witnesses said the man hit the victim with the bat, pursued the victim when he ran, and hit him with the bat three more times. A second man was described as kicking the victim.

At the scene, Collins told police he was approached by three men, including the victim. The trio included another man with whom Collins told police he was having a dispute over $7 and some clothing that had been stolen.

When the fight happened, Collins said he was attacked by the three men and defended himself, but denied having any weapon, police said.

As police continued the investigation following the incident, Collins failed to appear for a further interview. Subsequently, the Oakland County Fugitive Apprehension Team located Collins at a motel off U.S. 23 with this girlfriend and her two children. Collins was arrested there.